grässlich

German

Alternative forms

  • gräßlich (pre-1996)

Etymology

From Middle High German grēslich, from Middle Low German grēselîk (horrific), probably ultimately from Proto-West Germanic *grīsan (to be frightened), which is cognate with Old English grislic, whence English grisly. Cognate with Bavarian greißlich.

In High German associated with unrelated graz (angry), from Old High German *graz (“strict”, attested as adverb grazzo), which is perhaps related with Dutch gretig (eager). This association influenced the form but not the sense.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈɡʁɛslɪç/
  • (file)
  • Hyphenation: gräss‧lich

Adjective

grässlich (strong nominative masculine singular grässlicher, comparative grässlicher, superlative am grässlichsten)

  1. ghastly, horrific

Declension

Derived terms

  • Grässlichkeit

Further reading

  • grässlich” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
  • grässlich” in Uni Leipzig: Wortschatz-Lexikon
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